Saturday, October 29, 2011

Bill Hale passed away in Rowlett, Texas on October 29, 2011. He was 90 years-old. Hale was the brother of actor Monte Hale and appeared in films with Gene Autry, George Montgomery, Johnny Mack Brown, Charlie Starrett and others. Late he went to success in TV westerns appearing such series as "Rawhide", "Wild Bill Hickok", "The Range Rider", "Gunsmoke", "Rin Tin Tin", "Wagon Train" and many others. Bill was born William Ely in Ada, Oklahoma in 1921.

Lloyd Thomas Doss passed away in Enterprise, Oregon on October 25, 2011. Dos gained fame playing with some of the best Western music bands of the 1940s and 50s. He was born in Weiser, Idaho, In 1920. The family moved to La Grande, Oregon, in 1922, where Lloyd "Tommy" Doss learned to play harmonica and guitar and, in 1939, formed his first band, Sons of the Grande Ronde. They played the local Elks Club and drove to Baker, where they earned $12.50 a week playing live radio.

Doss worked in Hermiston during WWII, married Naomi Henderson there, and returned to La Grande in 1946. In 1948, Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys came to play in La Grande's Zuber Hall. Wills heard Doss play and hired him on the spot. Doss left for California the next day, where he played with the Playboys, the Rhythm Busters, and Ole Rasmussen and his Nebraska Cornhuskers until he had a chance to join the legendary Sons of the Pioneers in July 1949, replacing the retiring legendary Bob Nolan.

For fifteen years, Doss toured with the Pioneers, cut albums, and played on TV and movie sets with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, and in two of director John Ford'swesterns (Rio Grande and The Searchers) behind John Wayne.

In 1963, Doss left the Pioneers and he and Naomi bought the Imnaha Store and Tavern, running it until 1977. Naomi served as Imnaha postmaster while Lloyd operated the store, surrounded by Pioneers recordings and memorabilia. He limited his musical performances to recordings and special appearances with the Pioneers.

In 1970 the Pioneers came to Wallowa County and played a special performance at the fairgrounds in Enterprise. Cowboys and music fans from miles around came to hear Lloyd "Tommy" Doss and the sequined and fringed Pioneers croon "Cool Water" and "Tumbling Tumbleweeds."

Lloyd Doss was inducted into the Western Music Association Hall of Fame November 21, 2008.

Within the first few seconds you met the man everyone knew as T. Max Graham, you laughed. And immediately afterwards, you liked him. He had that amazing power to become everyone’s friend. And now we smile through our tears at the wonderful memories left by Neil Graham “T. Max” Moran, who died Thursday, Oct. 27, in a Kansas City area hospital, after a battle with cancer. He was 70.

An Independence native, Neil was an actor who came to prominence in Kansas City’s dinner theaters during the 1980s. He appeared in a series of hit comedies with Vicki Olson, Dennis Allen and others. Dennis Hennessy, co-owner of the New Theatre, recalls a time when Graham’s name alone helped sell out shows.

“Max was really one of a kind,” Hennessey said. “In the good old days of Tiffany’s Attic, he was a headliner. People would come just to see him.”

Moran had spent a dozen years on the west coast at the start of his career, and made his film debut in the biker film “Angel Unchained.” He was proud of his role in David Lynch's cult classic “Eraserhead.” In recent years, he played character roles in films shot in this area, including Ang Lee’s “Ride with the Devil” and Kevin Wilmott’s award-winning independent “The Only Good Indian.”
He also continued his work at theaters across the metro area, in comedy and drama. He earned critical praise for his lead roles in “Galileo” and “Translation,” and appeared with longtime friend Loretta Swit in “Move Over Mrs. Markham.”

“His life was his art,” says neighbor Karen McCoy. “Max was always preparing scripts, working on his next project. He was totally devoted to his craft.”

Moran was a member of Actors Equity and the Screen Actors Guild. He appeared in numerous TV series and commercials, and gave generously of his time for community projects. He was a regular reader and performer at Westport Presbyterian Church holiday presentations.

He was part of the workout program at the St. Luke’s Hospital Center for Health Enhancement for 10 years, joined the group’s barbershop harmony mini-chorus -- then known as “Cardiac Carolers” -- and changed the name to “Cardio Jam.”

Friday, October 28, 2011

Actor ands singer Manueol López Ochoa died on 25 October 2011 in Los Angeles. López Ochoa was a radio announcer and singer who achieved his greatest success in the role of "Chucho el Roto," a character he played on the radio for more than a decade, in a popular telenovela, and in a series of four feature films.José Manuel López Ochoa was born in the state of Tabasco on 7 July 1933. He became a radio announcer in his home state, then moved to Mexico City where he added television work to his repertoire. Jorge "Che" Reyes heard the young man sing and promoted his transition to actor and singer in the early 1960s. López Ochoa, who grew up in a rural environment, worked primarily in the ranchera and Western genres, although he would occasionally take "civilian" roles. In addition to his movie work, he also starred in a number of telenovelas. Some of López Ochoa's films were remakes or movies using pre-existing characters--in addition to the Chucho el Roto series, he starred in new versions of Quinto Patio, Me he de comer esa tuna, and Angelitos negros. He also incarnated comic book hero "Alma Grande" in two films. López Ochoa moved to the United States and made at least one movie there, Cacería de traficantes. His final large- and small-screen performances came in the late 1980s and early 1990s. - David Wilt Mexican Film Bulletin

Actor Jorge Lavat died in a Mexico City hospital on 14 September 2011; the cause of death was a fatal infection that developed after a recent back operation. Jorge Lavat Bayona was born in Mexico City on 3 August 1933. His older sister Queta Lavat began acting career inMexican films in the 1940s, and Jorge followed suit, starting with extra roles and bit parts. In the late 1950s he began to work regularly in television, on the stage, and in films. He was particularly popular in telenovelas--his last professional work was in this medium in 2011. In 2009, Lavat starred in El estudiante, the most successful Mexican film at the boxoffice that year. He received a Diosa de Plata as Best Actor for his role. Jorge Lavat was married a number of times and is survived by his four children, including actress Adriana Lavat. - David Wilt MexicanFilmBulletin

Italian film and voice actor Enrico Luzi died on October 18, 2011 in Rome, Italy. Often appearing as Henry Luzi, he was born in Trieste, Italy on September 27, 1919. He specialized in character roles in film, television, theater and musicals. He became very familiar with Italian audiences when he was a regular on the 1950s radio program "Rosso e nero". He appeared on TV with the singing group Quartetto Cetra in the cast of the Bibloteca di Studio Uno in their presentation of the parody "La storia di Rosella O’Hara" (The Story of Scarlett O’Hara). As a voice actor he gave his voice to several cartoon characters including "Kimba, the White Lion", "The Bear Mysha" and was the Italian voice of Uncle Fester in the TV series "The Addams Family". Luzi appeared in one Euro-western, "A Fistful of Songs" (1966).

Monday, October 24, 2011

French singer and humorist Jean Amadou, 82, well known for his collaboration in the "Bébête Show" on TF1 television in the 80's, died in Paris on Sunday October 23, 2011 officials said to his friend Jacques Mailhot, French theater director. "Jean was ill for some months. Lately he was silent and very tired. Jean died about 6:00 p.m. at his home. He had been active in plays until 2010. Jean Marius Amadou was born on October 1, 1929 in Lons-le-Saunier, Jura, France and was known as an actor and singer beginning his career on Paris radio in the 1950s. He was a man of the theater, radio, film and the author of several books. He also was a puppeteer who used his puppets, mainly politicians, to comment on the news of the day. Jean appeared as Becker on the French TV western series "Aubrac City" (1971) and was the French voice of Lucky Luke’s horse Jolly Jumper in Terence Hill’s TV series "Lucky Luke" (1990-1991).

Saturday, October 22, 2011

From John Gayford comes word on the death of screenwriter, dubbing director Gene Luotto. "To all of you who were here in Rome, caught up in the dubbing racket, today is a sad day. Gene Luotto, daddy of us all, the one who taught us how to dub, has passed away. That'll never sound right, even if you pull it up two frames. I will never forget his kindness and his gentle, effective directing technique. He will be remembered with love and respect. Ciao, Gene." 10/21/2011.

Friday, October 21, 2011

BERRY, Shelby Dale, age 83, passed away into the arms of his loving savior, Jesus Christ on October 20, 2011.

Dale married Dorothy Louise Lewis, his childhood sweetheart on January 25, 1947. This union brought three children, five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Dale spent his early years in the entertainment business and the central part of his life, working with his father and his uncle in the heavy construction machinery business. Dale and Dorothy were members of the DAC Country Club, as well as many charity organizations, where Dale helped raise funds for many children’s charities. “I had a great life and enjoyed every minute of it, I would not change a thing, even if I could do it all over” comments Dale.

Service will be 2:00PM Monday October 24, 2011 at New Hope Funeral Home.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Cinematographer Denny Hall, who had worked on TV productions since the late 1980s, died Thursday morning in New Orleans, after suffering a heart attack while on location for the upcoming USA Network drama "Common Law."

Hall experienced chest pains while in his hotel room, and an operator called paramedics, who were unable to revive him. A USA representative confirms his death to TheWrap. The news was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

The 54-year-old member of the International Cinematographers Guild began his Hollywood career as a camera operator on shows like "Diagnosis Murder" and "Beverly Hills 90210."

In the last decade he had worked as the director of photography on "Bones," "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," "Big Shots," "Eli Stone," "The Cleaner," "Eastwick," "Burn Notice" and "The Lying Game."

"Common Law," which was ordered to series in July by USA, stars Michael Ealy and Warren Kole as police partners who bicker, and are sent by their boss to couples therapy.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Published: October 19, 2011

Barbara Kent, one of the last surviving stars of silent films, who performed alongside Gloria Swanson, Greta Garbo and Harold Lloyd, died last Thursday in Palm Desert, Calif. She was 103.

Her death was confirmed on Wednesday by a spokesman for the Marrakesh Country Club, where she lived.

A brunette, baby-faced beauty, both shapely and petite — most sources say she was under five feet tall — Ms. Kent made her film debut in "Prowlers of the Night," a 1926 western in which she was the only woman in the cast. She followed that with a featured role in "Flesh and the Devil," playing a lovelorn young woman with a crush on a man (played by John Gilbert) who is enthralled by the wily vamp played by Garbo.

Ms. Kent was an inexperienced performer, but Universal Studios had offered her a contract and provided rudimentary acting lessons after she won the 1925 Miss Hollywood beauty pageant.
“I really didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life,” she told Michael G. Ankerich in an interview for “The Sound of Silence,” his 1998 book about Hollywood in the transition from silent to sound pictures. But, she added, “being an actress was not it.”

Nonetheless, she had a successful film career for several years.

In the 1927 film "No Man's Law", which featured Oliver Hardy as a lustful villain, she was shown swimming, apparently in the nude (though she was wearing a bodysuit), in a scene that caused a minor scandal. Her other silent films included “That’s My Daddy” (1928), a comedy with Reginald Denny, and “Lonesome” (1928), a romantic drama set in Coney Island that included a few talking sequences.
Ms. Kent made the switch to talkies with apparent ease. She appeared opposite Lloyd in his first talking film, “Welcome Danger” (1929), in which she plays his love interest, though when they meet he first thinks she is a man. The film was shot as a silent, but once it became clear that sound was here to stay, the dialogue was dubbed.

She worked with Lloyd again in “Feet First” (1930), in which, as a shoe salesman, he goes to ever more improbable lengths to impress the woman (Ms. Kent) he thinks is the boss’s daughter.
The same year, in the thriller “Night Ride,” she played a newlywed whose husband, a journalist (Joseph Schildkraut), is kidnapped by a murderous gangster played by Edward G. Robinson. In 1931 she played Swanson’s younger sister, who is in love with a rogue, in “Indiscreet," directed by Leo McCarey. She also had featured roles in the first talking adaptations of “Vanity Fair” (1932) and “Oliver Twist” (1933). But within a few years her film career was over.

Ms. Kent was born Barbara Cloutman in Gadsby, Alberta, on Dec. 16, 1907 (although many sources say 1906), and moved to California with her family when she was 13. She married a Hollywood agent, Harry Edington, in 1932, but by that time she was losing interest in her film career. She acted only occasionally for the rest of the decade.

Mr. Edington died in 1949. Ms. Kent married Jack Monroe, a Lockheed engineer, in the mid-1950s, and became an avid golfer and an airplane pilot. Mr. Monroe died in 1998. No immediate family members survive.

After she had left acting behind, Ms. Kent rarely consented to interviews for the rest of her life, or even acknowledged that she had ever had a film career.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Danish actor Poul Glargaard died yesterday October 17, 2011 in the town of Frederiksberg, Denmark. He was 69. Born on April 11, 1942, Poul was a stage actor who joined the Aalborg Theater in 1966. He entered films in 1968 and was seen on various Danish TV shows and series. He was known for among other things his roles as Severinsen in "Christmas in Gammelby" and the dank stepfather in "Everybody Loves Debbie" series. His daughter Mette Andersen Glargaard confirmed his death today.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Emmy- and Grammy-winning TV-film composer and jazz arranger Pete Rugolo, who worked on the MGM musical "Kiss Me Kate," died in Sherman Oaks, Calif., on Sunday. He was 95.
The Sicilian-born Rugolo first made his name as a composer and arranger for the Stan Kenton Orchestra in the 1940s, for whom he wrote more than 100 compositions. He spent two years as musical director of Capitol Records in the late '40s, producing Harry Belafonte's first singles.

Rugolo collaborated with Peggy Lee, Charlie Parker, Benny Goodman and the Four Freshmen throughout his multi-decade career, and provided Miles Davis' seminal LP "Birth of the Cool" with its title.

He worked for MGM for the first half of the 1950s as a staff composer, arranging and composing for studio musicals including "Kiss Me Kate," while also recording on his own for Mercury Records, where he later served as an A&R director.

Rugolo's composition resume includes work on TV series "The Thin Man," "The Fugitive," "Run for Your Life" and "Richard Diamond." He received six Emmy nominations and won three, as well as two Grammys.

Rugolo is survived by his wife, three children, and three grandchildren.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

German actor Klaus-Peter Thiele died of cancer today in Berlin. Thiele was born in Meiningen, Germany on December 14, 1940. His father Heino Thiele [1891-1964] worked many years as an actor, director and theater manager at various theaters and appeared in silent films. His talented son, Klaus-Peter graduated from high school and attended drama school in Berlin and then subsequently appeared in stage engagements in Parchim and Potsdam, before working for three decades, for DEFA. His first film role is a resounding, and international success Thiele plays the title role in the anti-war movie "Die Abenteuer des Werner Holt" (The Adventures of Werner Holt) (1964/65). Even decades later Thiele was remembered again and again for this role. Later he acted in various roles, sometimes as a sympathetic figure, but also as a conceited, arrogant and cocky upstart. He continues to fall back on performances in Nazi occupation roles. Thiele often plays this role in Polish films, but also in television series and shorts with Rudi Kurz in "Archiv de Todes" or "Front ohne Gnade'. After the political changes of 1989, the actor with the deep, warm voice appears on stage in Hamburg and Munich, gaining experience, he also belongs to the regular cast of the Stoertebeker Festival in Ralswiek. He also warmly remembered working with Bud Spencer in the movie "Condor Mission", which was shown in the United States. Klaus-Peter Thiele lived for many years together with the artist Rosemarie Rautenberg, their daughter Valeska Rautenberg [1979- ] has also been in several film and television productions. His sister Brigitte Thiele [1936-2006] also worked occasionally as an actress.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Film, television and stage actor-director Paul Kent, a leading figure in the Los Angeles and regional theatrical community for more than 50 years, died at his Hollywood Hills home on Friday, Oct. 7. He was 80 and succumbed after a lengthy battle with multiple myeloma.
In addition to decades as an actor in films, television and the legitimate stage, Kent founded 35 years ago and was artistic director of the original Melrose Theater. He subsequently partnered with actress Jomarie Ward, and together they produced, taught and directed a wide variety of theater, eliciting DramaLogue and Drama Critics Circle awards, including the Margaret Harford Award naming the Melrose "the most consistently praiseworthy theater in Los Angeles." In between their own productions, the theater was leased for many years to HBO Films and independent theatrical productions.

Born in Brooklyn, Kent trained as an actor and theatrical entrepreneur at the Pasadena Playhouse, interrupting his career with a stint in the Army during the Korean War.

In addition to his prolific work as an actor, he was an activist largely responsible for the Equity Waiver policy in Hollywood. He also served as an assistant to prominent acting coach Sanford Meisner, was the first actor signed to a contract by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's Desilu Studios and was selected to be Ball's assistant director during her time developing new performers at her Desilu Theater.

In a career spanning more than 100 television and feature film appearances, he was first seen onscreen in "December Bride" and "My Three Sons" and continued through "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.," "Hawaii Five-O" to "The West Wing," "Frasier" and "E.R." He recurred on "Hotel," "Falcon Crest," "Mod Squad," "T.J. Hooker" and "Lou Grant"as well as the soap operas "Port Charles" and "The Young and the Restless." Among two dozen movies for television were the original and a later second version of Manson murders story "Helter Skelter," as well as 1973's "The Alpha Caper," with Henry Fonda and Leonard Nimoy; "Hoover"; "The Astronaut"; "The President's Plane Is Missing"; "Family Flight"; and "Death Valley."

Film credits include "Seconds," with Rock Hudson; "Lifeguard"; "A Nightmare on Elm Street 3"; and "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn," as Commander Beach; and Alex Monty Canawati's "Return to Babylon."

Onstage, he appeared as Nathan Detroit with Jack Jones in "Guys and Dolls"; John Saxon in "The Price"; Lainie Kazan, "Fiddler on the Roof"; Carole Cook and Barbara Rush, "Father's Day"; William Shatner, "Otherwise Engaged"; and Richard Dreyfuss, "Mamma's House."

Services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 15, at 3 p.m. at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, actress-writer Madelyn Cain, and three daughters.
Donations may be made to Multiple Myeloma research (www.myeloma.org) or Intrepidfallenheroesfund.org

BALTIMORE — Patricia Modell, the wife of former NFL team owner Art Modell and a longtime television actress, has died. She was 80.

Mrs. Modell was pronounced dead around 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, the Baltimore Ravens announced after being contacted by Modell’s son. She had been hospitalized for around five months.

During a 22-year acting career, Patricia Breslin Modell performed on the New York stage, in motion pictures and on television. She starred in the "People’s Choice" television series with actor Jackie Cooper and played the role of Meg Baldwin in the soap opera "General Hospital." She also played Laura Brooks on the prime time soap opera "Peyton Place."

Among her many television other roles, she was a regular on "Twilight Zone," ‘’Alfred Hitchcock Presents," ‘’Perry Mason," and "Maverick."

At one point in her career, Mrs. Modell had appeared on more television shows than any other woman in U.S. history. Her record was eventually broken by one of her best friends, Lucille Ball.

She married Art Modell, former owner and president of the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens, in 1969. She retired from acting at that time and immersed herself in her family and community improvement.

In Cleveland, Mrs. Modell served on the board at Ursuline College and was active in the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Cleveland Musical Arts Association, the Cleveland Ballet, the Playhouse Square Foundation, and the Cerebral Palsy Association. She actively supported the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, and she started and funded, along with her husband, the Hospice of the Western Reserve in Cleveland.

After Art Modell moved his football team to Baltimore in 1996, his wife served on several boards, including: House of Ruth, Gilchrist Hospice, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and The Walters Art Museum. In addition, the Modells contributed money to the St. Vincent’s Center and the Baltimore Museum of Art.

The Modells also gave $3.5 million to the Lyric Opera House, which was recently renamed the Patricia and Arthur Modell Performing Arts Center at The Lyric.

The Modells pledged $5 million to help start a public boarding school for disadvantaged students. The SEED School, which opened in the Fall of 2008, recruits middle and high school students from around the state. The gift is believed to have been one of the largest private contributions to a single public school in Maryland.

Born in New York, Patricia Modell was the daughter of Edward and Marjorie Breslin. Her father was a Special Sessions Judge in New York City. Monsignor Patrick Breslin, for whom she was named, was Judge Breslin’s eldest brother.

Mrs. Modell graduated from the Academy of Mt. St. Ursuline and the College of New Rochelle.

She is survived by her husband, two sons, John and David, and six grandchildren.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Fritz Manes, who had a long association with Clint Eastwood, producing, exec producing or associate producing a dozen of the films Eastwood directed between 1977 and 1986 and serving in a number of other capacities on some of these films, including as an actor, production manager and second assistant director, died of lung and brain cancer on Sept. 27 in Sherman Oaks, Calif. He was 79.

Born and raised in Oakland, Calif., Manes first met Eastwood in high school in the late 1940s, and they remained close friends for decades. Manes attended UC Berkeley and earned a B.A. from UCLA. He spent four years in the Marine Corps, serving for 14 months in the Korean War.

Manes worked a variety of jobs for several decades, including as a local disk jockey in Oakland and for a newsradio station in San Francisco. In 1973, however, he began to work at Eastwood production company Malpaso.

In 1976, Manes was credited as assistant to the producer on Dirty Harry film "The Enforcer" (directed by James Fargo and produced by Robert Daley) and on "The Outlaw Josey Wales," directed by Eastwood and produced by Daley, Fargo and John G. Wilson). For "Josie Wales," Manes scouted locations with lenser Bruce Surtees and Fargo.

He was associate producer on Eastwood films "The Gauntlet," "Every Which Way but Loose" "Escape From Alcatraz" and "Bronco Billy," which were made between 1977 and 1980, as well as second a.d. on "Bronco Billy" as well as "Any Which Way You Can."

Manes' responsibilities on Eastwood's pics gradually increased: He moved up from associate producer to producer on "Any Which Way You Can"; starting with "Firefox" he would frequently occupy dual roles as exec producer or producer and unit production manager on a number of Eastwood's mid-'80s titles. He even picked up credits for stuntwork on "Sudden Impact" and "City Rider."

Manes also had bit parts in a number of Eastwood beginning with "The Enforcer" and ending with "Pale Rider."

In 1986 Manes also produced Sondra Locke directorial effort "Ratboy." Manes' relationship with Eastwood, both professional and personal, came to an end amid strife during the production of "Heartbreak Ridge" that same year.

Manes also served on the California Film Commission, appointed by then-Gov. George Deukmejian, during the 1980s.

Marilyn Nash, Charles Chaplin's young leading lady in the critical and box-office disappointment Monsieur Verdoux, has died. She was either 84 or 85, according to the IMDb. Author Jeffrey Vance announced Nash's death on his Facebook wall. Like most of Chaplin's discoveries — Paulette Goddard and Claire Bloom are two glaring exceptions — the Detroit-born (Oct. 1926) Nash didn't have much of a career. Marilyn Nash was planning on a career as a doctor when, while a student at the University of Arizona, she visited Los Angeles and met Charles Chaplin, who placed her under contract (starting at $50 a week) and cast her in his production "Monsieur Verdoux" (1947). She appeared in a second and last film, the science-fiction "Unknown World" (1951).According to the book The William Castle Story. (Nash was friends with William Castle, whom she met through her first husband, screenwriter Philip Yordan, whose credits include "Detective Story", "Johnny Guitar", and "El Cid". In addition to her couple of movies, Nash also made a couple of television appearances in the '50s. She later settled in Oroville in Northern California, where she at times acted as a casting director for movies shot in the area. She also wrote a book, Secrets of Hollywood Heydays, in which she "shares Hollywood secrets, and reveals her diet and healthy living programs."

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Actor, singer, songwriter David Alexander Hess passed away over night on October 8, 2011 at his northern California home. He was 69. Hess started his career as a songwriter for Shalimar Music in 1957 under the alias David Hill. His biggest song writing hit was "Speedy Gonzales" which Pat Boone recorded and went to #6 in the U.S.A. in 1963. He then recorded two albums for Kapp Records. In 1969 he became the head of A&R at Mercury Records and co-wrote the Grammy award winning rock opera "The Naked Carmen" in 1970. In the ‘70s he turned to acting and became for his role in "Last House on the Left" (1972). Hess would reprise his role in Ruggero Deodato’s remake called "The House on the Edge of the Park" (1980). David appeared as the villain in Russ Craven’s "The Swamp Thing" (1982). He appeared in three Euro-westerns: "Montana Trap" (1976), "Buck at the Edge of Heaven" (1991) for which he also composed the music, and "Jonathan of the Bears" (1995). Hess was married to actress Karoline Mardeck who also appeared in "Buck at the Edge of Heaven". David leaves his wife Karoline and three children.

Spanish actor José Castillo died on August 30, 2011 in Sentmenat, Barcelona Spain. He was 90. Born Josép Castillo Escalona in Barcelona on February 14, 1921, he was a screenwriter, cinematographer and stage and TV actor. As José Castillo he was a character actor in at least two Euro-westerns "Dynamite Jim" (1966) as a soldier and "God in Heaven, Arizona on Earth" (1968) as Warren. No obit could be found for him but a funeral announcement was posted at rememori.com on August 31.

Friday, October 7, 2011

He's gone at 80 years-old, a veteran of Italian dubbing actors, Gianni Musy, who has lent his deep voice, to many actors of cinema, television and popular cartoon characters until recently, in the great smurf blockbuster movie "The Smurfs". His resume is long and prestigious with a list of his alter egos: Marlon Brando, Sean Connery, and in between the characters Albus Dumbledore in "Harry Potter" and Gandalf in the trilogy "The Lord of the Rings ". As an actor he is remembered for his appearances in the original television series, from "Black Arrow" to "Maigret", and as an actor in the films such of Carlo Verdone and Pupi Avati. Musy was born Giovanni Musy Glori on August 3, 1931 in Milan and passed away in Rome on Ocotber 7, 2011. Musy is the son of actor Enrico Musy [1901-1966] and actress Gianna Pacetti. He was at one time married to actress Rada Rassimov and is the father of actresses Mascia and Maria Stella Musy.

SYDNEY (AP) – Oscar-nominated Australian actress Diane Cilento, who was once married to James Bond actor Sean Connery, has died in northern Australia, an official said Friday. She was 78.

Cilento, a veteran of dozens of films, television shows and stage productions, died Thursday night, Queensland state Premier Anna Bligh said.

No cause of death was given.

The Queensland-born actress rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s, starring alongside screen legends such as Charlton Heston and Paul Newman. In 1956, she was nominated for a Tony Award for her portrayal of Helen of Troy in the play Tiger at the Gates. She received an Academy Award nomination in 1963 for best supporting actress for her work in the movie Tom Jones.

Her celebrity grew after she married Connery — her second husband — in 1962. The two had a son before divorcing 11 years later. She went on to wed her third husband, playwright Anthony Shaffer, in 1985.

She and Shaffer eventually settled in tropical northern Queensland, where she built a popular outdoor theater in the rain forest.

"While she was originally known as a glamorous international film star, her work in later years in the far north showed her commitment to the arts," Bligh said in a statement. "I know that Ms. Cilento will be sorely missed by many in the industry."

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Actor Charles Napier, a Kern County resident who appeared in hundreds of movies and television shows, died Wednesday in a Bakersfield hospital. He was 75.

Charles Napier, a movie and television actor who had a face you knew even if you didn’t know his name, died Wednesday in Memorial Hospital, Greenlawn Funeral Directors confirmed late Wednesday afternoon.

Napier, 75, had health problems in recent months and reportedly collapsed in his home Monday and was admitted to the hospital. He died about 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Napier was in some of the biggest movies in the last 30 years, usually in a tough-guy role.

He played the Memphis police lieutenant crucified by Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs. He was the judge that heard Tom Hanks' case in Philadelphia. He was Sylvester Stallone’s nemesis Murdock in Rambo: First Blood. He was a general in Austin Powers and a country singer in The Blues Brothers.

He was a hippie on a faraway planet on the original Star Trek, and had several parts in The Simpsons.

IZMIR - Muzaffer Tema, aged 92, who died Tuesday morning October 4 in his home district of Cesme was one of the most memorable actors in Turkish cinema Tema Muzaffer's funeral, the funeral prayer and then the New Fountain

At the Cemetery he was buried with tears.

Tema died of respiratory failure due to cerebral infarction at 9:15 a.m. yesterday at home his home in Cesme. A memorable funeral ceremony was held today.Representing Tema at his funeral, was his wife, Pearl Tema, son Alper Tema , his fifth wife Gulay Armen, relatives, Mayor of Fountainwith Faik Tütüncüoğglu, Sezer Becel Pearl District Governor, State Theater Artist and Tema’s brother-Erol Aksoy, County Commissioner Gazi Fildir, AK Party member of the Provincial General Assembly Arif Barata, journalist, Yasar Al, the last 5 years spent in the Aegean city Sitesi'ndeki Fountain joined by friends and fans.

Artist of the state due to the Tema's coffin, wrapped in the Turkish flag. The funeral prayer was said beforehis wife, Pearl Tema, tears were shed over Tema Muzaffer’s coffin.

A few weeks before his seventieth birthday of one of the greatest, most dedicated and versatile master section of the German film died at the early morning of 2 October in Munich, a serious illness. Przygodda who has won several German film awards, was mainly due to its close and continuous collaboration with Wim Wenders, a legend. He also worked with Volker Schlondorff and Hans W. Geissendörfer, with Romuald Karmakar and Robert Schwentke. He was just, creative, demanding and Prussia in a productive way in creative ways. His last film he cut until the end of September - lying down. Because: "I still have every film cut to the end."

The documentary Mischka Popp and Thomas Bergman, whose films he has all the cut with his ebenalls strong feel for the documentary, have written to him a goodbye text, with which all colleagues who knew him loved and worked with him, can adopt. The cinema mourns Peter Przygodda.

"Our friend Peter Przygodda has died after a long severe illness. He has written German film history. For 25 years he has also accompanied us and our films and characterized. He was a workhorse, and life took him roller coaster. And he pressed the spin button. With him we have experienced the most intense work experience we have ever had. He could dance with the material. And sometimes we have found happiness in the editing room. So we became friends. We are very sad. "

Sunday, October 2, 2011

"Chinatown" trumpeter dies at 90
Uan Rasey was considered one of H'wood's finest musicians
By Jon Burlingame
Variety

Uan Rasey, who played trumpet solos in hundreds of films from "An American in Paris" to "Chinatown," died of complications from a heart ailment Monday, Sept. 26, at Kaiser Hospital in Woodland Hills, Calif. He was 90.

Rasey was widely considered one of the finest musicians in Hollywood history, working over the years in radio, films, television and recordings. His playing can also be heard in such classics as "Singin' in the Rain," "Gigi," "West Side Story," "Spartacus," "Ben-Hur," "How the West Was Won," "Cleopatra" and "My Fair Lady."

Rasey was born in Glasgow, Mont., and began playing the trumpet at age 7. At 9 he was struck by polio, which left him without the use of his legs and on crutches for the rest of his life. His family moved in 1937 to Los Angeles, where he began playing professionally with such band leaders as Sonny Dunham, Ozzie Nelson and Alvino Rey.

During the 1940s he performed on many radio shows including "Your Hit Parade," "The Telephone Hour," "The Voice of Firestone," "Lux Radio Theater," "The Jack Benny Program" and his favorite, "Kraft Music Hall" with Bing Crosby, with arrangements by fellow trumpeter Billy May.

In 1949 Rasey joined the MGM studio orchestra and played primarily for MGM until 1974, although he also played at all the other studios. His many TV-show credits included "M Squad," "Bonanza," "Lost in Space," "Lassie" and "The Man From U.N.C.L.E."

According to some estimates, he played on as many as 3,000 film and television shows in his career, which lasted until around 1990. Rasey's jazzy trumpet in Jerry Goldsmith's 1974 "Chinatown" score was perhaps his best-known performance; later films included "Taxi Driver," "High Anxiety" and "Pennies From Heaven."

Rasey also performed on many albums in the 1950s and '60s, including those of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Mel Torme, Doris Day, Frankie Laine, Judy Garland and the Monkees.

He began teaching in later years; his pupils included Arturo Sandoval and Jack Sheldon. In 2009, he was honored by the International Trumpet Guild and the Recording Musicians Assn.

Rasey's wife of 57 years, Margaret, died in 2008. Survivors include three children and three grandchildren. A memorial will be scheduled for a later date.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Those who grew up watching Capulina's movies already know that, yes, they weren't Oscar material. However they were all about optimism and innocence , and in these times when Mexico is going through so much turbulence, violence and insecurity maybe it's time to remember Gaspar Henaine's naive though powerful message: you can change any situation just by smiling.

Long before Mexican movies were about strippers, cheap jokes and obscenity, Capulina's films had already captivated the audience who nicknamed him "The King of White Humor". He went on to make 84 movies and recorded a dozen of musical albums, more than most actors and singers don't achieve in a lifetime.

Many of his movies draw criticism for being way too "foolish", and some may argue that The Wizard of Oz is "silly" too... but don't you feel better after listening to Judy Garland's Over The Rainbow?

His partnership with the equally legendary "Viruta" (Marco Antonio Campos) delighted children, young people and adults altogether. They starred alongside some other stars like Lorena Velazquez, Alicia Bonet, Alfonso Arau (yes, the "Like Water for Chocolate" and "A Walk In The Clouds" director) and Victor Junco. In one of his most famous movies he starred opposite "El Santo", another Mexican film legend.

Gaspar Henaine "Capulina" was also a stand-up comedian but stopped working in 1997 as he was feeling "weak and old" according to his own words. Well, he was a senior citizen by then but as upbeat as a child.

This is itself why people loved him so much: his always present humor reminded us of how important is to travel light, no matter how hard things seem.

He closed his eyes on Friday September 30, 2011. Mr. Henaine died of complications from pneumonia and a gastric ulcer as announced by his granddaughter on Twitter. Now his star shines forever and all the movies he made are here to make us smile once in a while.

About Me

Born in Toledo, Ohio in 1946 I have a BA degree in American History from Cal St. Northridge. I've been researching the American West and western films since the early 1980s and visiting filming sites in Spain and the U.S.A. Elected a member of the Spaghetti Western Hall of Fame 2010.